Ford is giving the E-Transit Custom a major round of upgrades, introducing a larger battery, significantly faster rapid charging, and a brand-new all-wheel-drive (AWD) option from early 2026. Importantly for existing operators, charging improvements will also be delivered to current vans already on the road via over-the-air software updates.
The updates are aimed squarely at improving real-world productivity for businesses using Ford’s electric one-tonne van across demanding urban, regional and rural operations.
Bigger battery, longer range, faster charging
From early 2026 production, new E-Transit Custom models will receive an upgraded battery with usable capacity increasing from 64kWh to 71kWh. Ford says this delivers more than a 10% improvement in driving range, extending official zero-emission range to up to 232 miles.
For operators, the extra usable energy provides greater flexibility for longer daily routes, heavier payloads and more demanding duty cycles without increasing reliance on mid-shift charging.
Charging performance also improves for new-build vans. From 2026, E-Transit Custom will support faster DC charging, with a 10–80% recharge now taking around 29 minutes using a 125kW rapid charger — roughly 10 minutes quicker than before.
Ford says this allows operators to add approximately 69 miles of range in just 10 minutes, making short top-ups during a working day far more practical for drivers relying on public infrastructure.
Existing vans upgraded via over-the-air updates
Current E-Transit Custom owners will also benefit. Ford is rolling out an over-the-air (OTA) software update to vans already in service, reducing the 10–80% rapid charge time of the existing 64kWh battery by around 14 minutes, bringing it down to approximately 25 minutes.
No physical hardware changes are required, and the update will install automatically.
“For Ford Pro, a vehicle leaving the production line is just the start of our journey with the customer,” said Hans Schep, general manager of Ford Pro Europe. “We’re committed to ensuring businesses get the best out of their vehicles by continuing to enhance the product once it’s in their hands.”
All-wheel drive system for tougher conditions
Alongside the battery and charging upgrades, Ford is introducing a brand-new all-wheel-drive (AWD) system for the E-Transit Custom from early 2026, aimed at businesses operating in poor traction environments such as construction sites, rural terrain, and harsh winter conditions.
Rather than a conventional mechanical driveline, the AWD system uses two fully independent electric drive units, one driving the rear axle and a new high-power motor driving the front wheels. Torque is continuously varied between the two axles depending on grip.
Each drive unit is capable of delivering the van’s full power output independently, with customers able to choose 100kW (136hp), 160kW (218hp) or 210kW (286hp) versions depending on model series.
Andy Fells, chief programme engineer for the enhanced E-Transit Custom, said: “If the rear wheels lose grip, the front drive unit can instantly send its full torque to the front wheels to compensate. The system monitors wheel slip up to 50 times every second.”
The AWD configuration brings a substantial increase in usable torque when towing or pulling away on low-grip surfaces. The 210kW AWD version delivers a combined 630Nm of motor torque from a standstill, more than 50% higher than the regular rear-wheel-drive model.
The two electric drive units work alongside the van’s traction and electronic stability control systems to actively manage grip not just front-to-rear, but also left-to-right. Individual wheels can be braked independently to correct instability on cambered or uneven ground.
Steering input is constantly monitored, with Ford using what it terms “fuzzy logic” to vary torque and braking to help prevent the van drifting off course on wet roads, icy surfaces or loose tracks. Torque vectoring between axles also helps mitigate understeer and oversteer during cornering.
Despite the added hardware, Ford says the dual-motor setup can also bring energy-efficiency benefits in urban driving. At lower speeds, regenerative braking can be applied through both drive units, increasing energy recovery by up to 50% compared with the rear-wheel-drive model — particularly beneficial for stop-start delivery work.
Enhanced Ford E-Transit Custom availability
The upgraded 71kWh battery, faster DC rapid charging and the new AWD system will be introduced on E-Transit Custom models from early 2026. Over-the-air fast-charging improvements for existing vans will be automatically rolled out to vehicles already in service.
The AWD system will be available across the full E-Transit Custom body style range, including Panel Van, Kombi, Double-Cab-in-Van and MultiCab variants.
- Mitsubishi L200 picks a fight with new Street Fighter movie - 17 September 2026
- Renault Niagara pickup revealed, but it’s only for Latin America - 10 September 2026
- Mitsubishi L200 Commercial swaps rear seats for van tax treatment - 10 September 2026